Sleek and casual modern West Coast kitchen renovation

Kitchen

Sleek and casual modern West Coast kitchen renovation

A gutsy renovation decision affords these Vancouver homeowners a highly functional, modern kitchen.

An open floor plan; rich wood finishes; a sleek, casual look: These are the hallmarks of the West Coast modern style that Sally Parrott and Erik Berg wanted in a new home for their family of five. But given their neighbourhood of choice – Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant area – they realized they’d have to renovate top to bottom to get it. “Our options were older character-filled homes with not enough space, or poorly renovated houses,” says Sally. “We ended up buying the ugliest house on the street, literally,” she adds, dubbing the then four-apartment home the “1994 pink palace.” The solid structure had the flexibility and spaciousness the couple needed to turn it into an open-concept wonder with a welcoming, organized kitchen at its heart.

Kitchen renovation: Modern West Coast kitchen

Kitchen renovation: After

The hefty walnut kitchen island with room for three and a matching pantry ground the white cabinets and quartz countertops. “I wanted quartz for ease of care,” says homeowner Sally Parrott, “but I was surprised to learn it wasn’t that much cheaper than marble.” Some savings were found in the porcelain floor tile that looks like cement.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Lesley Young
Source: Tracey Ayton

Kitchen renovation: Modern West Coast kitchen

The planning process

It’s one thing to gut an entire home, but it’s another to move the kitchen to the opposite side of the house, knock down a structural wall and close up a window. Yet that’s just what Jamie Deck, designer and director of Shift Interiors, advised. The couple was torn over the increased costs, but in the end couldn’t argue with spatial logic. “It allowed us to open up the whole layout,” says Jamie.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Lesley Young
Source: Tracey Ayton

Kitchen renovation: Modern West Coast kitchen

The design decisions

The first big choice came in the minimalistic low-sheen white cabinetry. Sally wanted a style without fussy profile edges. But Erik, whose taste runs more traditional, was concerned the kitchen would read too stark. Enter the warm-toned richly grained walnut island (topped with quartz), pantry and floating shelf. “I wanted high-quality materials that would stand a lot of wear and tear, knowing we would spend a lot of time here,” explains Sally.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Lesley Young
Source: Tracey Ayton

Kitchen renovation: Modern West Coast kitchen

The result

“We’re thrilled with the outcome of the kitchen. It’s the happiest room in our home,” says Sally.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Lesley Young
Source: Tracey Ayton

Kitchen renovation: Modern West Coast kitchen

Fresh pop of colour

Adding a pop of colour with a floral arrangement is a great way to keep any space bright and cheerful.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Lesley Young
Source: Tracey Ayton

Kitchen renovation: Modern West Coast kitchen

Chic and functional decor

Get creative with your counter space. There are lots of stylish ways to display counter-worthy kitchen accessories.